The Ashes live cricket scores: Australia and England resume battle in fifth and final Test at the SCG
Cricket: The series may be decided, but plenty of pride will be on the line in the fifth and final Test of The Ashes between Australia and England at the SCG.
The tourists were able to put what had been a torrid tour where they surrendered the urn inside 11 match days behind them by claiming their first victory on Australian shores in 15 years in a fast-forward Boxing Day Test.
Australia’s hopes of a 5-0 whitewash were swept away with the loss, but Steve Smith’s side will be looking to ensure England are sent home with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Stay across the latest Ashes action as Australia and England resume their battle in Sydney.
Key events
05 Jan 2026 - 02:43 PM
WICKET Labuschagne ct Bethell b Stokes 48
05 Jan 2026 - 01:37 PM
50 for Travis Head
05 Jan 2026 - 01:07 PM
WICKET Weatherald LBW Stokes 21
05 Jan 2026 - 11:47 AM
ENGLAND ALL OUT 384
05 Jan 2026 - 11:45 AM
Joe Root finally falls!
05 Jan 2026 - 11:32 AM
WICKET Carse ct Carey b Green 1
05 Jan 2026 - 11:21 AM
WICKET Jacks c Green b Neser 27
05 Jan 2026 - 11:03 AM
Joe Root brings up 150
05 Jan 2026 - 09:37 AM
LUNCH - ENGLAND 6-336
05 Jan 2026 - 09:21 AM
WICKET Smith c Boland b Labuschagne 46
05 Jan 2026 - 08:33 AM
Green’s Ashes horror continues!
05 Jan 2026 - 08:15 AM
Joe Root has his second 100 of the series!
05 Jan 2026 - 07:33 AM
Starc gets Stokes again on review!
05 Jan 2026 - 07:13 AM
WICKET BROOK FALLS!
We’re back
Labuschagne continues with two overs until the new ball.
SIX! Jacks didn’t look in total control of it, but he gets enough to send a ball off his hips into the stands.
A more controlled pull brings one to fine leg.
Uninspiring stuff. ENG 6-343
LUNCH - ENGLAND 6-336
Australia got the perfect start, removing Harry Brook and Ben Stokes early but Joe Root was serene at the other end to bring up a second 100 and remains unbeaten on 138
Australia got themselves back in the game but Cam Green’s no-ball took the wind out of their sails as Smith helped put on 94 with Root before he threw his wicket away just before lunch.
The new ball is not far away, which will likely be Australia’s last chance to avoid this match slipping away.
78th Over - ENG 6-336
Last over before lunch as Root punches one off the backfoot.
Jacks nearly edges a drive before punching a single to point.
FOUR! Root gets down and executes a textbook sweep.
Goes for the revers but hits it straight into the ground and that’s lunch.
77th Over - ENG 6-329
Marnus is continuing with the short ball plan but surely Root is smart enough with lunch approaching.
He gets off strike with one to the backward square.
Jacks flicks a quick single off the pads a no-ball gives Root one to face as he pulls square.
76th Over - ENG 6-326
Head continues as Root punches a single.
Will Jacks gets off the mark with a punch down the ground to mid-off.
Root turns another single.
WICKET Smith c Boland b Labuschagne 46
Marnus Labuschagne comes on bowling seam up. Desperate times.
Smith forehands a single to cover.
Root cuts a single to point as Marnus goes short and bowls a wide.
OUT! Smith falls and Marnus is off the races!
Smith backs away to make room Harry Brook like but hits it straight to Boland at deepish cover.
Shocking dismissal and what a breakthrough for Australia.
74th Over - ENG 5-320
Head continues to Root, who chops a single as Smith drives one.
Not much turn, if any for Head.
FOUR! Root went to reverse sweep then corrected to a conventional sweep to pick a boundary.
He finds a single to midwicket, Smith gets a single forward of point.
73rd Over - ENG 5-312
Boland continues as Root gets a single fine.
Smith drops and runs a quick single into the offside.
Root swivels a single to fine leg.
72nd Over - ENG 5-309
Finally, some spin and Head replaces Webster.
Root defends the first.
He shuffles back to punch a single through the covers.
Smith shuffles down to flick a single square.
Root punches one.
71st Over - ENG 5-306
Boland replaces Green.
On the pads and Root pings it away for three.
Smith defends the rest.
